Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2012/2013
Date: 30 January 2013
Venue: Room 21, Parliament Buildings
10.30am The meeting commenced in public session
1. Apologies
As above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
None.
3. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of 23rd January 2013.
4. Correspondence
Members noted the correspondence received.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment regarding a research paper on UK Guarantees.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure regarding Mencap briefing on transport issues.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding EU briefing papers.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department of Regional Development regarding the Coleraine to Londonderry rail works.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department of Regional Development regarding the launch of Active Travel Strategy.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department of Regional Development regarding Water NI conference.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department of Education regarding bus licensing issues.
Agreed:The Committee noted correspondence from the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister regarding Activity Report for the Department of Regional Development.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment regarding City of Culture 2013.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Community Transport Association regarding the Committee Inquiry.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department of Education regarding the Committee Inquiry into the Better Use of Public and Community Sector Funds for the Delivery of Bus Transport Options.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from various Health Trusts regarding the Committee Inquiry into the Better Use of Public and Community Sector Funds for the Delivery of Bus Transport Options.
Agreed: The Committee noted suggested questions for the briefings in relation to the Committee Inquiry.
10.34am Mr Dickson joined the meeting
5. Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety: The Inquiry into Better Use of Public and Community Sector Funds for the Delivery of Bus Transport in Northern Ireland
Mr Easton declared an interest as Assembly private secretary to the Health Minister
10.35am The following representatives joined the meeting:
Jackie Johnston, Director of Secondary Care, DHSSPS
Daniel Kelly, Assistant Director of Secondary Care, Cancer Services, Diagnostics and Specialist Drugs Unit, DHSSPS
Brian McNeill, Director of Operations, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service
Mandy Magee, Transport Services Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
The representatives presented to the Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
10.36am Mrs Kelly joined the meeting
10.36am Mr McAleer joined the meeting
10.41am Mr McCrea joined the meeting
11.26am The representatives left the meeting
Agreed: The Committee would write to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety asking for a breakdown of costs to the Trusts as a result of missed appointments, especially those related to transport issues and asking how many missed appointments were as a result of transport issues.
Agreed: The Committee would write to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety asking for a breakdown of the cost per passenger of journeys made by patients of the health service.
Agreed: The Committee would write to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety asking for information on the policy that the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service has in relation to the use of its vehicles out of hours for non-emergency patient transportation.
Agreed: The Committee would write to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety asking for an update on the Enniskillen to Altnagelvin project.
Agreed: The Committee would write to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety asking why audit reports from 1995 and 2005 containing recommendations for the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety appear to have been ignored.
Agreed: The Committee would write to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety asking why no briefing paper for today’s presentation was provided.
6. Department of Education: The Inquiry into Better Use of Public and Community Sector Funds for the Delivery of Bus Transport in Northern Ireland
11.28am The following officials joined the meeting:
Alan McMullan, Head of School Access Team
Gary Montgomery, Deputy Head of School Access Team
Dale Hanna, Transport Officer, SEELB
The officials presented to the Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
11.33am Mr McNarry left the meeting
11.38am Mr McNarry rejoined the meeting
11.49am Mr Hussey left the meeting
11.56am Mr Hussey rejoined the meeting
12.01pm Mrs Kelly left the meeting
12.13pm Mr McAleer left the meeting
12.14pm Mr Dickson left the meeting
12.14pm Mr Ó hOisín left the meeting
12.16pm Mr Ó hOisín rejoined the meeting
12.18pm Mr Dallat left the meeting
12.18pm Mr McCrea left the meeting
12.18pm The officials left the meeting
Agreed: The Committee would write to the Department of Education asking for a breakdown of transport costs of pupils including the costs of providing assistants.
Agreed: The Committee would write to the Department of Education asking why no briefing paper for today’s presentation was provided.
7. Department of Regional Development: The Inquiry into Better Use of Public and Community Sector Funds for the Delivery of Bus Transport in Northern Ireland
12.19pm The following officials joined the meeting:
Sean Johnston, Transport Projects Division
Ciaran Doran, Director of Transport Finance and Governance
Stephen McKillop, Head of Operational Delivery Branch
The officials presented to the Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
12.20pm Mr Dickson rejoined the meeting
12.20pm Mr Easton left the meeting
12.24pm Mr McAleer rejoined the meeting
12.26pm Mr McCrea rejoined the meeting
12.37pm Mr Hussey left the meeting
12.55pm Mr McNarry left the meeting
1.01pm The officials left the meeting
8. Subordinate Legislation not subject to Assembly Procedure
Members noted:
- The Urban Clearways (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2013
9. SL1: The Limestone Road, Area (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2013
Members were content with the merits of the following policy proposal:
- The Limestone Road, Area (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2013
10. SR 2012/448 The Greystone Road, Limavady (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
Agreed: That the Committee for Regional Development has considered SR 2012/448 The Greystone Road, Limavady (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 and has no objection to the Rule.
11. Any Other Business
The Chairperson reminded members that the Committee has a study visit to Exeter and Cardiff on 13th/14th February 2013 and asked that Members indicated if they were attending the visit to allow travel and accommodation to be confirmed.
12. Date of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will be Wednesday 20h February 2013 at 10.30am in Room 21.
1.06pm The meeting was adjourned
